ASA to appoint CEO by December as Parliament calls for reforms & World Athletics warns against 'undue interference'

Despite world class performances by South African athletes in the youth, junior and senior ranks, Athletics South Africa (ASA) has been in the media for what has been happening in the boardroom and not on the track, cross country and road. March was a busy month for the organisation’s media department who have had to field questions about whether or not World Athletics had placed ASA under a formal monitoring process after the suspension of president James Moloi for the tavern saga, while also addressing speculation about the expired broadcast deal with SuperSport.

According to a forensic investigation commissioned by SASCOC and presented to the Parliamentary Monitoring Group responsible for Sports, Arts and Culture, the "crisis" at ASA has been precipitated by two main weaknesses in the organisation’s governance structures:

ASA will embark on reforms to restore public confidence in the federation. Photo Credit: MWMedia.

"The Financial controls of Athletics South Africa (ASA) were found to be inadequate to effectively prevent or detect irregular expenditure in a timely manner; and accountability mechanisms within the organisation were found to be compromised, limiting effective oversight and enforcement of responsibilities," the PMG report explained.

The solution presented to Parliament requires athletics’ mother body to embark on a year long programme of reform designed to strengthen the federation’s governance structures and financial controls where the appointment of a new CEO is at the heart of the matter. Described as 'Immediate Corrective Action' ASA are to: Review existing policies; establish an Independent Ethics Committee; appoint an External Bookkeeper; propose and approve Constitutional Amendments and appoint the Chief Executive Officer before the end of 2026.

Acting CEO Magogodela has been acquitted of all charges relating to the Moloi tavern saga. Photo Credit: ASA Media.

These reforms are intended to stabilise the organisation's leadership and repair ASA’s damaged reputation in order restore sponsor confidence. It’s a process to which ASA has committed and one that World Athletics is understood to be aware of. Communication between ASA and World Athletics which has been seen by #TheTopRunner paints ASA as a willing participant to this reformatory process.

"ASA is committed to good corporate governance and will work closely with its membership, World Athletics and SASCOC to enhance its governance and administrative systems," was ASA's reply to WA Governance Senior Manager Alexandre Gros. Rather than being prescriptive as has been suggested, Gros and the World Athletics team are supportive of the journey that ASA is embarking upon saying they "...trust that the process will take place in a manner that is free from undue interference that would undermine the autonomy and independence of sports and of the Olympic Movement."

Moloi smiles with former SuperSport CEO Marc Jury after announcing the new broadcast deal. Moloi has been suspended and ASA are yet to finalise a new deal with either SuperSport or the Public Broadcaster. Photo Credit: ASA Media.

It means that current Acting CEO Terrence Magogodela who was acquitted of all charges relating to the suspension of Moloi, will be a key figure in managing a challenging period during which ASA are understood to be negotiating a new broadcast deal with the SABC, while handing over the reigns to the CEO who must be employed in the next nine months. At the same time the current board look set to continue with Deputy President Johan Mathane in charge while Moloi remains "...suspended until the disciplinary process is properly concluded and a final determination is made on the substantive allegations."